Transferring your skills to another industry

Changing industries is one of the greatest desires that I hear from candidates.

Whether it is leaving the once sexy and now low paying world of CPG manufacturing, or people in the financial industry that do not like the prospects of the ever increasing fin tech competition. Regardless of the situation, candidates are often wondering how they can better position themselves to land in an industry that they deemed more personally rewarding.

I am not going to lie to you, it is still considered very difficult to change industries.

Companies may not be as progressive as we wish they were, as many prefer a safer candidate hire, rather than the best candidate hire.  Companies often fear that someone from outside the industry might find it too great of a transition, that they will require too much time in learning the industry to deliver their mandate, that they will require too much training from current employees that are already strapped for time or that there is simply too much risk in general.  

The one aspect that can help you overcome these challenges in an interview, is showing that you truly and deeply understand your skills and weaknesses and that you also are very good at anticipating the company’s pain points while showing that you have good knowledge or understanding of the industry.

This is NOT simply doing a company website review and googling the industry.

This is doing a project on the industry, and if there is a genuine interest in the industry to begin with, that is even better and it will show!

Here are my steps.  

1.

Determine the industry of core interest.

2.

Research all aspects of that industry, conduct a SWOT analysis.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

3.

Conduct a close look at the company.

Research and conduct a SWOT analysis from their perspective.

4.

Determine and anticipate that company’s needs and that industries needs in order to be successful going forward.

Look at everything from global trends to technology and innovation.  Use your own ideas as well.

5.

Examine your work history, volunteer work, interests, hobbies and other life experiences to identify your transferable skills.

6.

Consider online resources that can help identify transferable skills, but really the onus is on you to show that you have the intelligence, the anticipation and the perseverance to successfully manage a career change.

7.

Make sure that you incorporate all key transferable skills into your resume and that you have examples ready to provide during behavioural interview questions.

8.   Deliver an engaging interview that summarizes your research as well as your passion.

9.   Utilize recommended tools or courses to further assist with identifying and leveraging transferable skills.

Farewell,

Mike